"Pure Venom", Says BJP As Controversy Erupts Over Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim's 'Muslim Majority' Remarks

A massive controversy has erupted over a video of Kolkata mayor and Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim's remarks, in which he is reportedly heard saying that soon Muslims "we will become the majority".

West Bengal BJP chief and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar has described Hakim's remarks as "pure venom" and accused him of "openly inciting communal hatred and pushing a dangerous agenda".

In a video that has surfaced on social media the prominent Trinamool Congress leader is heard making the controversial remarks at an education event under the Firhad 30 initiative to train students for competitive exams.

"We are from a community that accounts for 33 per cent of Bengal's population. In India, however, we account for 17 per cent (of the population) and are called a minority community. But we don't think of ourselves as a minority. We believe that if Allah's grace is with us, we can become a bigger majority than the majority one day," Mr Hakim is heard saying in the video, NDTV reported.

"It will be Allah's grace and we will achieve this with our strength. Whenever something happens, our community holds a candlelight march, saying, 'we want justice'. Holding marches for justice won't help, raise your stature to the point where you can deliver justice instead of demanding it," he added.

Sharing the video on X, BJP leader Majumdar dared the Opposition's INDIA alliance to respond to the remarks.

"Pure venom from the Kolkata Mayor, TMC's Firhad Hakim openly inciting communal hatred and pushing a dangerous agenda. This isn't just hate speech - it's a blueprint for creating a Bangladesh-type situation in India. Why is the INDI Alliance silent? I challenge them to voice their opinion on this," he said. 

Tagging Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee, the state BJP president said, "Your hypocrisy and anti-India mindset stands exposed. Is this the future you envision? Every Bharatwasi must condemn this mindset! Our nation will not tolerate such threats to its unity and integrity."

BJP's IT in-charge and co-incharge of party affairs in Bengal Amit Malviya also slammed the remarks.

"Kolkata's Mayor, Firhad Hakim, previously revealed his true intentions by describing non-Muslims as 'unfortunate' and endorsing Dawat-e-Islam's efforts to convert Hindus to Islam. He has now claimed that West Bengal, along with the rest of India, will soon have a Muslim majority," Malviya said.

"Hakim envisions a future where Muslims will no longer rely on peaceful protests or marches but will take justice into their own hands-potentially hinting at Sharia law. This aligns with remarks from TMC's Chopra MLA, who previously cited Islamic scriptures to justify an incident, where a woman was publicly whipped," he added.

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